Investigations by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) are ongoing after two crashes occurred on the flyover in Kitchener, one of which resulted in the death of a woman from Waterloo.
The MTO has stated that it is “reviewing winter maintenance operations” related to the incidents, while OPP has updated their investigation, now indicating driver error as a possible factor.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these incidents,” said the MTO when asked by 570 News Radio.
A 38-year-old woman from Waterloo was driving on the southbound ramp from Highway 7 West to the eastbound lanes of Highway 8 on Monday morning when she lost control, went up a snow embankment, crossed over a concrete barrier, and fell onto the highway below.
She was pronounced dead at the scene. A Go Fund Me page has been created to raise funds in her memory.
OPP officers who responded noted that road conditions, particularly snow piled on the shoulder of the ramp, contributed to her vehicle being propelled onto the highway beneath.
“The snow and road conditions clearly played a role in this collision, and we’ll continue collaborating with road maintenance contractors and the MTO to resolve this issue,” said OPP Sergeant Kerry Schmidt in a statement on Monday afternoon.
The MTO mentioned they’re “reviewing winter maintenance operations at the time of these incidents and will evaluate findings from the police investigation once they are available.”
Snow plowed onto the shoulder of Highway 85’s ramp to Highway 8 created an elevated surface that “launched” a vehicle onto the highway below, resulting in fatal consequences for its driver, according to Ontario Provincial Police. (OPP)
The woman’s vehicle was actually the second one launched off that highway ramp on Monday morning.
Around 2 a. m., a taxi cab also fell from an expressway ramp onto the highway below and landed on its roof, causing injuries to its driver.
The taxi company, City Cabs, has informed 570 News Radio that it will be conducting its own investigation using all relevant data available.
“As with incidents like this one, there are usually several factors involved; we’ll wait for OPP’s investigation before making any conclusions. Simultaneously, we will perform our internal review which includes checking in-car footage, GPS data, and speed details.”
The ramp was closed following that incident for an investigation; however, snow wasn’t cleared off until later when it reopened around 5 a. m.
[After](#)the tragic accident at 7:30 a. m., snow removal crews were deployed again; this section of roadway remained closed for over twelve hours on Monday. The flyover was reopened just in time for Tuesday morning traffic after clearing away all snow.
![]()
A memorial marked by a bouquet of flowers seen at the scene of the fatal crash. (Mark Douglas/570 News Radio)
Sgt. Schmidt described this fatal outcome as “absolutely tragic” stressing how crucial it is for drivers to adjust their behavior during winter weather conditions.
“Sadly,” he remarked,”the driver from that second vehicle lost control after entering into shoulder area ultimately going right over wall.”
Addtionally he responded inquiries regarding whether or not closure should have happened sooner saying most drivers managed navigating through safely themselves:
“We’re not going close down highways simply because there’s some extra snowfall along sides,” Schmidt commented. “Actual travel lanes remained manageable enough.”
Source link
Driver Error Being Investigated
The OPP shared an update about their investigations on Tuesday afternoon where Sgt. Kerry Schmidt pointed towards possible driver error as contributing factors in these accidents. He explained that once drivers lost control due to snowy conditions, it acted like a ramp sending them over into danger while both flyover traffic lanes were clear during both incidents. “The roads were fine; there was obviously some snow on shoulders but highways had been plowed and salted well enough for vehicles throughout weekend,” he added.Source link
